You should treat it as a luxury package rather than regular STR. 

Is the option government supplied insurance where taxes supplement the insurance?  

Anywhere that has consistent or slightly growing population and a decent job supply may be a good fit.

But a lot of bank employees, real estate agents and regular people don't know it or they just don't believe it.

.- It may take longer to find a tenant buyer compared to a regular renter.Let me know if I have missed something.  

It is about supply and demand. 

I didn't even have $1000 saved at that time and I was really just thinking of going the regular route of going through the banks and just save up as much as I could for a down payment on my first investment home to rent out.

Then I have a credit card to charge supplies and any utilities which allow credit card payments.

@Placeholder PlaceholderOne word of caution I would advise: If a community or local government is enacting restrictions and also regularly enforcing them, then its often a reflection of the local community sentiment which increases the chance of a neighborhood or nearby resident calling you in if they think you may be running an STR.

They're the ones working with those agencies on a regular basis and have the best referrals.As far as recovering the debt, try leveling with the tenant as much as possible so they grasp the seriousness of being sent to collections.